Mark Saunders’ tenure as police chief extended by a year

For just the second time in 40 years a Toronto police chief will serve more than a single term. The Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB) announced on Tuesday that it is renewing the appointment of Chief Mark Saunders for an extra year.

“I am pleased to confirm that the Toronto Police Services Board and I have agreed to extend my mandate as Chief of the Toronto Police Service, a role that I am honoured to hold,” Saunders said in a statement.

“It has been a great privilege to lead the members of the Toronto Police Service, Canada’s largest, and in my opinion, best municipal police service. I am humbled to be continuing in this role and I thank the members of the Toronto Police Service for their commitment to keeping our city safe and to building strong communities.”

2/2 Thank you to the members of the Toronto Police Service for their commitment to keeping our city safe and to building strong communities. I am proud of the work they do every day. #Toronto

— Mark Saunders (@marksaunders_TO) August 27, 2019

Saunders became Toronto’s 10th police chief, and first black one ever, when he was appointed to the position on April 17, 2015. He was sworn in on May 19, 2015.

With the additional year his term will now conclude on April 30, 2021.

In a release the TPSB said Saunders was “instrumental in leading the organization through a precedent-setting and complex period of transformation, championing the most significant modernization efforts …”

Police board member, Mayor John Tory, added: “Chief Saunders has helped us move forward with the modernization of the Toronto Police Service. Extending his contract will ensure he can complete more of the important work of that modernization.”

President of the Toronto Police Association Mike McCormack responded to the news, saying Saunders’ record speaks for itself and adding the force is at it’s lowest morale ever.

“We’ve seen a steady increase in shooting victims and victims of violent crime in the city. So, I think the Chief’s record speaks for itself and we are looking forward to making the transition into the next Chief,” said McCormack. “We’ve had some strife with this Chief with the last four years. We are at the lowest morale than we’ve ever had in the police service. We have a staffing crisis.”

Former Toronto Police Board Chair Alok Mukherjee said Saunders has some important challenges ahead with a focus on the gun violence that’s been plaguing Toronto over the last couple years and implementing the TPS board’s modernization and transformation plans.

“Gun violence. The chief has said that it’s mostly gang related. People do not buy that. The fact is, that in four years, not enough has been done to deal with the core issues underlying gun violence,” said Mukherjee. “So, on the one hand he has challenges, on the other hand there are serious questions where Toronto Police is today after four years of his leadership”